“We are very excited to welcome our first Big Ten recruiting class into the Buckeye Lacrosse Family,” Nick Myers, Ohio State head coach, said. “We have been able to build relationships with many of these young men for nearly two years and are thrilled with the quality of people, students and players we are adding to our team. We have been able to address needs both on offense and defense, as well as specific positions and feel we have improved the overall athleticism of the team. Lastly, we have some members of this class that come from traditional hotbed areas of lacrosse and a couple from places outside of our normal recruiting territories. To me, this illustrates the power of The Ohio State University, the people that represent it and the growth of our game. I want to thank our coaching staff for their tremendous effort and sacrifice throughout this process and I want to recognize our support staff for the wonderful job they do.”

Freddy Freibott
D, 6-0, 200
Wilmington, Delaware/Salesianum School

Four-year starter for the Salesianum School … first team all-state as a senior and junior, earning second-team honors as a sophomore … two-time US Lacrosse All-American … Team MVP as a senior while serving as captain and winning Defensive MVP accolades as a junior … member of three state championship teams (2013, ’12, `11) … played for Dukes and Man Up club teams … part of National Honor Society and German Honor Society.

Freibott on why he chose Ohio State:
“I chose Ohio State because I love the big-school atmosphere, the facilities are some of the best in the country and the academics are outstanding.”

Brendan Barger
D, 6-0, 175
Baldwin, Maryland/Gilman School

Three-year letterwinner for the Greyhounds … played for Baltimore Crabs club program and was the Crab Feast Defensive MVP … Under Armour Underclassmen Baltimore All-America team … also a three-year letterwinner in soccer, played squash and earned Triple Threat award as a junior for lettering in all three sports.

Barger on why he became a Buckeye:
“I chose Ohio State because it was where I felt most comfortable. I loved the coaches, the school, the environment and the team.”

Hank Bethke
A, 5-9, 160
Medina, Washington/Bellevue

Four-year letterwinner for the Wolverines … first team all-state and an All-American as a senior in 2014 … member of three state championship teams (2014, ’13, ’12) and named MVP of state championship as a junior in 2013 … second team all-state selection as both a sophomore and junior and a third-team pick as a freshman … team captain and offensive MVP as a senior, earned Rookie of the Year honor in 2011 and 2012 Unsung Hero award … played for Brady’s Bunch club program.

Bethke on why he became a Buckeye:
“I chose Ohio State because of the atmosphere of the school as well as the commitment the coaches have to the success of the student-athletes on and off the field.”

Liam Blohm
D, 5-11, 175
Syosset, New York/Syossett

Four-year starter for the Braves … all-county selection as a senior and junior and an honorable mention pick as a sophomore … two-time team captain and Defensive MVP … squad won 2012 Nassau County Class A title and reached championship game in 2014 … played for Long Island Express club program … competed in Long Island Showcase twice and was MVP in 2012.

Blohm on why he became a Buckeye:
“I chose Ohio State because the chance to be a student-athlete here is a chance of a lifetime. I connected well with the coaches and the academics suited my path for what I want to do later in life. I look forward to playing lacrosse for Ohio State and representing them in the classroom as well.”

Colin Chell
A, 6-1, 165
Bel Air, Maryland/Boys’ Latin

Three-year starter for the Lakers … team captain and led squad with 52 goals as a senior in 2014 … team was undefeated and won MIAA and national championships … All-MIAA selection … scored 27 goals in 2013 on MIAA runner-up squad and tallied 19 goals in 2012 … also played football and volleyball; volleyball squad was MIAA runner-up in 2012.

Chell on why he became a Buckeye:
“I chose to come to Ohio State because I felt it was the right fit for me. Ohio State has a lot to offer in regards to academics, athletics, tradition and a close Buckeye family. When I took my first trip out to Ohio State in the summer, I felt like I really connected well with Coach Myers and the coaching staff.”

Erik Evans
D, 6-4, 215
Baldwin, Maryland/Calvert Hall

Four-year letterwinner for the Cardinals … All-MIAA and all-state as a senior … named team’s defensive MVP and the Varsity Sports Network 2014 Defensive Player of the Year … member of MIAA lacrosse (2012), football (2010) and basketball (2011) championship teams … played for Baltimore Crabs club team … two-time All-MIAA in football and earned all-state honors as a senior after leading team in receiving yards.

Evans on why he chose Ohio State: “I chose Ohio State because I liked the family atmosphere the players and coaches showed. I also chose Ohio State because I fell in love with the campus and couldn’t wait to call it my home.”

Matt Galioto
M, 5-8, 180
Kings Park, New York/Kings Park

Four-year letterwinner for the Kingsmen … earned team’s Unsung Hero award as a senior in 2014 after finishing among the best in New York state in faceoff winning percentage … played for Recon club team … also played hockey, winning state championship in 2010 and 2012, finishing first at nationals in 2012 and third at nationals in 2010 … member of National Honor Society.

Galioto on why he became a Buckeye:
“I chose Ohio State because of the resources it offers for me to become the successful adult I would like to be. I know the environment I will be in and the people I will be surrounded by will help me become an amazing person and I can’t wait to leave my legacy as a Buckeye.”

Trevor Hodgins
M, 5-8, 168
Spencerport, New York/Churchville-Chili

Five-year letterwinner for the Saints … served as team captain … US Lacrosse All-American … first team all-section as a senior, two-time second team all-section … Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Super 16 as a senior and an honorable mention choice in 2012 and ’13 … earned all-league first team honors at midfield three times and was a second-team choice as a freshman at attack … all-tournament team choice in 2014 and 2011 (Section 5, Class B) … 42 goals and 26 assists for 68 points as a senior, with 28 goals and 18 assists as a junior, 38 tallies and 19 helpers as a sophomore and 30 goals and assists for 60 points in 2011 … played for Rochester Blaze club program.

Hodgins on why he became a Buckeye:
“I chose Ohio because of the strong tradition and captivating environment. Columbus offers more than I could ask for and I feel like I belong there.”

Dylan Kinnear
A, 5-11, 195
Calgary, Alberta/Bowness

Won Junior A provincial title with Okotoks Junior A Raiders in 2013 … Minto Cup participant and was Canadian Junior A Rookie of the Year honorable mention in 2013 … played for Midget “A” Calgary Hornets and won 2012 gold medal for both city of Calgary and Province of Alberta, leading team in scoring with 110 points (72 goals, 38 assists) in 26 games … played for Team Alberta U16 field lacrosse team and selected to Canadian All-Star Team … member of Elev8 Lacrosse club program … also played football and basketball and was 2013 football defensive player of the year for Bowness.

Kinnear on why he chose Ohio State:
“Ever since I started watching NCAA sports Ohio State was my favorite team. When I first visited, the campus was awesome and the vibe I got from the coaches and players about the mentality towards family, school and lacrosse seemed to fit my priorities perfectly.”

Austin Seiple
M, 5-9, 170
Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman

Four-year starters for the Shamrocks … two-time team captain … honorable mention all-state as a senior and a second team honoree as a sophomore … earned first team all-region honors three times … first team all-conference as a sophomore and junior and led team in scoring both seasons, earning Team Offensive MVP accolades … played for Resolute Lacrosse club program … also played football and ran cross country.

Seiple on why he became a Buckeye:
“I chose to play lacrosse at The Ohio State University because I have always been a fan of Ohio State while growing up in Columbus. Along with it being a family tradition to attend Ohio State, I fell in love with Ohio State because of its tradition, prestige, opportunities and facilities, and, on top of it all, it is close to home. I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.”

Matthew Smidt
G, 6-0, 180
Smithtown, New York/Smithtown West

Four-year letterwinner and two-year starter for the Bulls … all-county and all-division selection as a senior after posting a 70 percent save percentage and 4.4 goals-against average …. Squad won Suffolk County Division I title … 65 percent save percentage as a junior and earned all-division accolades … team was Suffolk County Big 6 champion in 2011, `12 and ’13 and county finalist in 2012 and ’10 … started half of team’s games as a sophomore and had a 68 percent save percentage … selected for Suffolk County rising sophomore, junior and senior showcase and was showcase MVP goalie as both a junior and senior … played for Team Smithtown West club program.

Smidt on why he chose Ohio State:
“During the recruiting process, I visited a number of schools and was introduced to a number of coaches. When I visited The Ohio State University, I felt like I was home. The athletic facilities and the coaching staff, as well as the academics, made my decision an easy one.”

Ronnie Spielman
M, 5-8, 170
Eden Prairie, Minnesota/Eden Prairie

Three-year letterwinner for the Eagles … squad won back-to-back state championships … won Team Leadership award in 2014 … also played football and was on three state championship teams, starting for two of the title squads … played for Minnesota Elite club program.

Spielman on why he became a Buckeye:
“First, I chose Ohio State because of the campus; it was better than any of the others I had seen and there is this always a good vibe in the atmosphere when you are walking around. Second, the lacrosse coaching staff was amazing and what I was looking for. Everyone on the staff is always trying to find different ways to get better to try to bring home a championship for the Buckeyes and that’s just what I’m looking for – ways to get better and succeed. Lastly, I’ve been dreaming of going to this school all of my life. It makes it even better I have family just around the corner, and family who are alumni of the university.”